I had a chance to attend the newcomer’s album release party Wednesday night (Sept. 18) at the Stage in downtown Nashville. Like the others squeezing into the packed club, I was happy to hear his Top 5 smash “Redneck Crazy” and a host of other party anthems. But I was also delighted to hear a softer side of the singer, too.

After all, real life and really good records are all about balance, are they not?

And the smoky-voiced Missouri native knows how to keep it real. He’s not the type to put on airs in life or in his music — or hold back, for that matter. (I mean, listen to “Redneck Crazy.”)

Farr comes across as a genuine guy. When he’s singing a good-timin’ song like the Rhett Akins/Craig Wiseman co-write “Makes You Wanna Drink” or a deeper cut like “Whiskey in My Water,” you tend to believe him. You get the impression these are very personal experiences — good or bad — that likely took place in his life very recently or are powerful memories from the past.

Also, keep an ear out for “Cowgirl,” one of the album’s more traditional-leaning cuts, complete with steel guitar and old-school melodies. It immediately struck me not only for those reasons but also because … well … Farr introduced it as the song that describes what he looks for in a woman.

And no debut album these days would be complete without the assistance of a few famous friends. Farr told the crowd Lee Brice is a co-writer on the sing-along “Wish I Had a Boat.”

Whether it’s simply just a fun, crowd-pleasing anthem, a deep love song or a stone-cold country tune, one thing is certain: Farr knows how to connect with an audience.